Florida Cajun Zydeco Update! Number 111, April 2022

Florida

CajunZydeco.com

#

111

APRIL 2022

2

Visit FloridaCajunZydeco.com COVER: Rendered from a photo by David Simpson of Preston Frank Florida Cajun Zydeco Update! is mostly written, edited, designed and produced by Jim Hance, floridacajunzydeco@yahoo.com.

Visit floridacajunzydeco.com for information on Cajun and zydeco dance events in Florida, Louisiana and elsewhere, as well as back issues of this publication.

No. 111 | April 2O22 3

4

8

First/Fifth Friday Cajun Zydeco Dance (April 1 & 29) at Sauced Open dancing 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., beginner dance lesson at 8 p.m.

T-Broussard and Dwayne Dopsie visit Florida Dunedin Mardi Gras brings top Louisiana talent to the Sunshine State.

“Le Grand Retour” or Grand Return of Festivals Acadiens et Créoles brought dancers back for live music

The return of festivals to southwest Louisiana is welcomed by dancers and musicians alike.

22

Regularly scheduled dance events in the Tampa Bay area Cajun, zydeco … and now west coast swing dances every Saturday!

3 Jim Hance

Florida Cajun Zydeco Update!

JOIN US FOR A CAJUN ZYDECO DANCE ON FRIDAYS  APRIL 1   APRIL 29!

7 p.m. to 9:3O p.m. at SAUCED SPORTS BAR, 125O Seminole Blvd., Largo 3377O NO COVER! (THAT MEANS FREE!) JIM HANCE will be playing recorded Cajun and zydeco dance music by your favorite artists including Chris Aroin, Pine Leaf Boys, Chubby Carrier, Steve Riley, Keith Frank, and dozens of similar artists. At least every tenth tune is a waltz.

Try a CRAFT PIZZA. Brief beginner dance lesson at 8 p.m.

4

Visit FloridaCajunZydeco.com

T-Broussard and Dwayne Dopsie visit Tampa Bay Dancers gathered at Dunedin Mardi Gras on February 26 and Chief’s Creole Café in St. Petersburg on February 27 for a special treat: live zydeco music by Louisiana bands!

Dwayne Dopsie and the Zydeco Hellraisers, a band that has visited Florida more often than any other Louisiana band over the past couple of years, kicked off the Dunedin Mardi Gras on the Main Stage. And coming to Florida en route to Houston was T-Broussard and the Zydeco Steppers who played two sets at Dunedin and made a separate appearance at the Creole Café the following day.

It was good to see some familiar faces I haven’t seen for a while due to the pandemic in support of the bands. The food, by the way, at Creole Café was excellent and merits a return visit without live music. Thank you to Jerry Carrier and Mr. B of the Creole Café for making this possible. Thank you to Tom White for producing the best Dunedin Mardi Gras ever.

Florida Cajun Zydeco Update!

Dwayne Dopsie and the Zydeco Hellraisers performed at Skipper’s Smokehouse in Tampa on January 28. The band returned to Florida to kick off the Dunedin Mardi Gras and perform in Fort Myers and Daytona.

5

6

Visit FloridaCajunZydeco.com

6-Volt Rodeo (top left), the Cadillac Cowboys (top right) and T-Broussard performed at the Dunedin Mardi Gras on Saturday, February 26.

Florida Cajun Zydeco Update!

With some astroturf spread over part of the dirt parking lot for a dance floor, and the shelter of partial shade of some small trees for the band, T-Broussard & the Zydeco Steppers performed for three hours for local dancers behind Chief’s Creole Café in St. Peteresburg on February 27.

7

8

Visit FloridaCajunZydeco.com

“Le Grand Retour” of Festivals Acadiens et Créoles brought dancers back for live music

I

n the midst of the looming concerns of the re-emergence of a major pandemic, inflation at the gas pump, and the possibility of World War III starting in eastern Europe, dancers and festival goers shed their concerns in Lafayette over the weekend of March 18-20 at Festivals Acadiens et Créoles, the largest free Cajun and zydeco festival in the world. The bands were all there on stage, and the crowds returned to Girard Park in Lafayette for the music and

9 David Simpson

Florida Cajun Zydeco Update!

Chris Ardoin and NuStep Zydeko performed on opening day of the festival, March 18.

an immersive cultural experience with South Louisiana cuisine, crafts and workshops.

The intention of the festival organizers is to return the festival to its traditional second weekend of October, and the festival is scheduled to return for a second time this year on October 14–16. That’s not only great news for dancers, but also for the musicians throughout Louisiana who lost their income during the pandemic.

Visit FloridaCajunZydeco.com

Brad Bowie / The Advocate

10

Jen Maurer and Alyce Morgan dance to the music of Terry and the Zydeco Bad Boys.

“Man, we are feeling superb, I’m telling you this is great because it’s been two years too long,” said Grammy-winner Chubby Carrier, front man for the Bayou Swamp Band. “It’s really weird to get a phone call that says Festivals Acadiens has been canceled.

You know, it broke our hearts, man.”

That sentiment was shared by Steve Riley of the Mamou Playboys. “This festival, more than any other, is a celebration of who we are. Our people, our language, our culture, our music — more than any other festival.”

Louisiana musicians faced a higher rate of unemployment at 79% than the national rate of 66%, according to a 2020 survey of creative workers by Americans for the Arts. The survey included responses from about 7,000 musicians, including 130 who live in Louisiana.

11 David Simpson

Florida Cajun Zydeco Update!

The Riley Family Band with some members of the Mamou Playboys, David Greeley and Sam Broussard, sitting in.

“I missed socially playing but also financially,” said Christine Balfa with Bonsoir, Catin and Balfa Toujours. “It’s been horrible, I’m not going to sugarcoat anything. I never thought in a million years that I’d be sitting there, sitting at home, twiddling my thumbs. No work.”

For people like Carrier, the pandemic took the creativity out of him. He would try to get back into writing music, but the spark just was not there. Boredom was the most difficult part of the pandemic for Carrier.

Visit FloridaCajunZydeco.com David Simpson

12

Louisiana musicians took the stage to celebrate the life of Courtney Granger, fiddle player of the Pine Leaf who passed away during the pandemic.

“All you could do was go to the grocery store. We didn’t, we couldn’t do nothing,” Carrier said.

Carrier said he was filled with hope at the beginning of 2020 just before the pandemic hit. Festival season was right around the corner and he was ready to take the stage with his band.

When the pandemic swept in March, he knew it was going to be rough.

“You sit there and you got things planned. I’m gonna have a great year. When they started canceling in March, we totally freaked out.” Carrier said, “They were telling us Jazz Fest is canceled, French Quarter Festival was canceled, the Boudin

13 David Simpson

Florida Cajun Zydeco Update!

Curley Taylor backed by Zydeco Trouble

Visit FloridaCajunZydeco.com Brad Bowie / The Advocate

14

Dancers kick up dust at Festivals Acadiens et Créoles on Saturday, March 19, 2022.

Festival was canceling. I was like wait, wait, wait, what’s going on?”

The pandemic led other musicians to find a variety of creative outlets. Riley started a family band with his sons, ages 9 and 12, and began doing Facebook live shows.

Florida Cajun Zydeco Update!

David Simpson

“I just played with them, and they just got better and better,” he said. “We wrote some songs together and found some great old tunes.”

Riley’s son took over as the drummer for the Mamou Playboys. And his family band, the Riley Family Band, played at the festival. The family band recorded a record in February.

“We are very lucky and very blessed,” Riley said.

Balfa took her time off stage to get deeper into visual art. She set up a studio in her home for a much-needed creative outlet.

Christine Balfa

“I just had like a little corner,” Balfa said regarding her previous art space, “Once you’re a creative person you just

15

Visit FloridaCajunZydeco.com David Simpson

16

A crowd gathered for a performance by the Riley Family Band. have to have a creative outlet or you’ll shrivel up. You will not be a happy person.”

The other members of her band worked at their day jobs and took care of their newborn children, Balfa said. Balfa worked at her day job as a music teacher.

“Everybody kind of diversified. Maybe they started teaching lessons, maybe started doing other projects,” Balfa said, “A lot of musicians started writing music, but we needed to find a

17 Brad Bowie / The Advocate

Florida Cajun Zydeco Update!

Festival goers enjoyed the festival fare that included spinach and artichoke bread bowls, fried crawfish nachos and bloody marys.

Visit FloridaCajunZydeco.com David Simpson

18

Rusty Metoyer and Zydeco Crush way to still make money. So luckily, we all had day jobs.”

Balfa said the pandemic was rough but was a very motivational time for her as an artist.

“It was a soul-searching time,” Balfa said, “it made me realize how much I loved going out and hearing live music and going out and playing live music. I really missed that.”

The return to the Festivals Acadiens et Créoles stage had major significance for Chris Ardoin. Ardoin was shot by an unknown shooter at the Zydeco Bike Fest in Colfax, Louisiana, an outdoor concert and mud riding event, injuring Ardoin and a 14-year-old boy in the crowd. The 40-year-old is a fourth

Florida Cajun Zydeco Update!

19

David Simpson

generation zydeco musician.

But, of course, there was no gunfire or trauma for Chris Ardoin at his return to the Festivals Acadiens stage.

As with other major Cajun and zydeco music festivals, the atmosphere was light and cheery, and the love of Louisiana music and food was enjoyed by all.

Chris Ardoin returned to the stage after receiving a gunshot wound while on stage at a motorcycle festival this past July.

And speaking of food, A Taste of Acadiana at Festivals Acadiens et Créoles gave festival goers a chance to taste-test various restaurants located all over Acadiana.

Festivals Acadiens et Créoles also includes the Louisiana Craft Fair Makers and Artisans. It’s called “Festivals” because incorporates much more than just a music and food festival.

Learn about Cajun and Creole culture at the museums near or on the festival grounds. And it’s family friendly: The atmosphere has all ages of people enjoying the festival with one

Visit FloridaCajunZydeco.com David Simpson

20

Jourdan Thibodeaux and Cedric Watson another. No matter the age, there is something for everyone to enjoy.

One unique thing about Festivals Acadiens et Créoles is the cutting the boudin. That was an afterthought at an early festival to lend some levity to the festival, and it has become a cherished tradition.

Florida Cajun Zydeco Update!

Facebook / Steve Riley

“I’m not sure how it started,” stated Pat Mould, festivals vice president.

“It kind of evolved, man.

It’s kind of a Chamber of Commerce tradition, but instead of a ribbon, we open with cutting a string of boudin.”

Chris Ardoin and Steve Riley provided the music for the opening of the March 18–20 Festivals Acadiens et Créoles.

At the opening ceremony, organizer Ancelet introduced “a very special dignitary,” French Consul Nathalie Beras, who cut the boudin at 5:08 p.m. on March 18.

“Words cannot describe the feeling of joy,” said Lafayette Mayor Josh Guillory of the festival’s return. Beras called the boudin the “only edible ribbon.”

Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys opened the festival musically at 5:30 p.m., and Chris Ardoin & NuStep Zydeko performed at 7 p.m. Peacefully, everyone passed a good time.

21

22

Visit FloridaCajunZydeco.com

Regularly Scheduled Dance Events in Tampa Bay Area Tuesdays, noon to 2 p.m. — Ballroom Dance Lessons (open dancing 2 to 3 p.m.), Gulfport Casino, Gulfport, FL Tuesdays, 8 to 10:30 p.m. — West Coast Swing Party at District Dance Academy, 14100 U.S. Hwy. 19, Suite 139, Largo 33764 (districtdanceacademy.com) Wednesdays, 8 to 11 p.m. — Swing Time Dance (lessons 6 to 8 p.m.), Gulfport Casino, Gulfport, FL Info at swingtime.info.

Thursdays, 8 to 11 p.m. — Latin Dance (lessons 6:30 to 8 p.m.), Gulfport Casino, Gulfport Third Thursdays, 7:30 to 10 p.m. — Westie Night on the Town with Danielle Bouin (dbdance.net/group-classes/) Thurs. thru Sat., 7:30-on — Country Line Dancing at Stockyard, 1916 US Highway 19, Holiday, Florida 34691 (stockyardlive.com) Fridays, 7:30 p.m. — Tampa Bay Dancing Club, Mike Unwin, 8401 West Hillsborough Ave., Tampa First Fridays, 7 to 9:30 p.m. — Cajun Zydeco Dance, Jim Hance DJ, at Sauced Pizza and Sports Bar, 1250 Seminole Blvd., Largo 3377O *May dance will occur on April 29.

Second Fridays, 8 to 11 p.m. — Disco Party at Gulfport Casino, 5500 Shore Blvd. S., Gulfport, FL 33707. Lesson at 7 p.m. Info at swingtime.info.

NEW: First Saturdays, 7:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. — Tampa Bay Westies with Shay Patel at District Dance Academy, 14100 U.S. Hwy. 19, Suite 139, Largo 33764. Updated info on Facebook “Tampa Bay Westies.” DistrictDanceAcademy.com, 727-219-2420.

2nd, 3rd, 4th Saturdays, 8:30 p.m. to midnight at Bayou Dance Club, 6541 102nd Ave., Pinellas Park. 2nd Sat. Floorplay WCS & Country Dance; NEW: 3rd Sat. WCS Technique Workshop and dance; 4th Sat. Tampa Floorplay WCS. Confirm info at dbdance.net.

Sundays, 4-7 p.m. — Sara Dance Center Ballroom Class & Dance at new location: 2821 Cattlemen Road, Sarasota (saradancecenter.com) Sundays, 8-11 p.m. — Swing Dance Tampa Bay (Lindy), at Torpedo Room, (lessons 6-8 p.m.) American Legion Hall, 3810 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa

Florida Cajun Zydeco Update!

The website soundexchangetampabay.com has info about vinyl.

Want to revive the experience and memories of listening to your vinyl records on an improved sound system? Sound Exchange with stores in Pinellas Park and Tampa can adjust, repair and upgrade your old stereo turntable to make your stereo sound better than you remember. “Ron” at Sound Exchange does the repair, adjustments and installation of new cartridges that enhance your system’s sound when playing vinyl records you’ve probably not listened to for decades. Email Ron with your questions at soundexchangetampa@gmail.com. Thank you, Ron!

23